The wrist of a toddler or preschooler can seem impossibly small. If you're looking to buy a bracelet for your tot, you may be stumped, wondering what size and style is the best for your child. Luckily, this is a pretty easy thing to find out. Once you've purchased a bracelet, remember to check the fit every few months, because kids grow fast and you don't want a bracelet cutting off your little girl's circulation as she outgrows it.
Size Range
According to How-To-Make-Beaded-Jewelry.com, the average size bracelet for a child who's 2 to 3 years old is 5 to 5 1/2 inches 1. For a 4- to 5-year-old, the size should be about 5 3/4 inches. Of course, these are averages. Measure your child's wrist, as the bracelet may need to be bigger or smaller if your child is very small or big for her age. If you are making your own bracelet, the rule of thumb is to make the bracelet about an inch longer than the measurement of the wrist.
Considerations
For bracelets that have many knots, charms or beads, consider getting one that's a bit longer, as these accessories tend to eat up a bit of the bracelet space. If the bracelet can be tied on or has an adjustable sliding closure, you won't need to be as exact about the sizing.
Dangers
If the bracelet you choose for your child is elastic or a cuff that's designed to be tight-fitting, check her wrists frequently to make sure that the bracelets aren't too tight and cutting off circulation. For example, if one hand is paler or feels cooler than the other, her circulations may be affected. Also, be cautious of bracelets that include beads, as these can present a choking hazard for toddlers. Bracelets that contain glow-in-the-dark fluid should only be worn under adult supervision, as the liquid inside can be toxic to kids if the bracelet gets bitten through or broken. And every mom knows that is a real possibility!
Professional Fitting
For toddlers and preschoolers who need a bracelet for a specific purpose, like a medical reason, consider taking your little one to a local jewelry store for a professional fit. For example, if your child has a medical condition like diabetes or a food allergy and must wear a bracelet identifying the problem in case of an emergency, you don't want take a chance that the bracelet could either slip off because it's too loose or be uncomfortable because it's too tight.